The University of 北ern Colorado (UNC) celebrates a historic milestone today as Colorado lawmakers approved a bill that will fund the proposed College of Osteopathic 医学. 与 HB24-1231 now poised for Governor Polis' signature, UNC's ambitious vision edges closer to 实现.

Approved by the Colorado legislature, the bill allocates an investment of $127.500万年 toward construction, startup, and accreditation expenses through Certificates of Participation (COP)的资金. The state will also use approximately $41 几百万 of its statutory reserve to strategically invest in the escrow needs of the project, as required by the Commission on Osteopathic College 认证.  

UNC's College of Osteopathic 医学 will enroll 150 medical students annually, with an inaugural class anticipated to start as early as Fall 2026. This strategic initiative will help address Colorado's critical shortage of physicians. 根据 到美国.S. 健康 Resources and Services Administration, a staggering 65% of the state’s physician needs are still unmet. In 2023 all but three of Colorado’s 64 counties lacked enough primary care health professionals.

In addition to increased access to health care, the college will serve as a powerful economic engine, creating jobs, attracting talent, and boosting local economies. A 新发布的 经济影响研究 由 Lightcast 项目1美元.4 billion boost to Colorado’s economy over the next 20 years, along with $84 几百万 in taxpayer benefits. The study further projects that the new college will continue to positively impact Coloradans well into the future, contributing at 至少197美元.2 几百万 annually in added income to the state’s economy even after the 20-year period analyzed in the study.

Expressing gratitude to Colorado's legislature, UNC President Andy Feinstein emphasized the pivotal role the College of Osteopathic 医学 will play in strengthening the state's healthcare workforce, particularly in rural communities.

"The College of Osteopathic 医学 will yield dividends for Colorado, today and for generations to come," said Feinstein, adding “I want to thank our legislative sponsors, Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty and Senators Barbara Kirkmeyer and Kyle Mullica, for seeing the need, sharing in our vision and working tirelessly 支持该法案.”

Opening the College of Osteopathic 医学 requires a minimum investment of $200 几百万. In addition to securing funding from the state via HB24-1231, UNC has received $31 几百万 from generous donors, including a landmark $2500万年 donation from The Weld Trust to support this transformative initiative.

In addition to UNC's College of Osteopathic 医学, House Bill 24-1231 will invest $119 几百万 to cover construction and infrastructure costs for complementary yet distinct healthcare and veterinary medicine programs at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State University, and Trinidad State College.